Updated:Facebook Blocks Log-ins from Tor Browser Putting Thousands of Political Activist at Risk

18 Jun, 2013

Facebook has blocked log-ins via the encrypted and anonymous browser TOR. This will lead thousands of political activists to login via their own IP address, unlike when they log-in via TOR at a different IP. This means that their identities might be revealed to tyrant regimes in countries such as Syria, Jordan, Iraq Saudi Arabia and elsewhere, since Facebook’s SSL connection can be broken easily by technology obtained by these regimes from American and British companies. This means facebook is now risking the lives and freedom of thousands of people by this stupid move.

This is also a sad day for privacy advocates.

Wael Ghonima, who is the former Google MENA marketing director, used TOR when logging in to his “We are all Khaled Saed page” page which called for the Egyptian revolution. The secret police of Husni Moubrak where on a hunt to know the person behind Khaled Saed. Had Wael his identity been revealed before the revolution that would mean the revolution might not happened.

We urge facebook to reconsider its move and think about the destiny of thousands of political activists around the world and especially in the Arab world.

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